Combustion Characteristics of Briquette Fuel Produced from Biomass Residues and Binding Materials

Abstract

Proper management and effective conversion of biomass residues for biofuel production are crucial to reduce deforestation due to the cutting of trees for cooking and heating as a primary source of fuel and improving energy utilization of households. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the effects of biomass residues of the coffee husk (CH), sawdust (SD), khat waste (KW), and dry grass (DG) and binding materials prepared from the waste paper pulp (PP) and clay soil (CS) under a low-pressure piston press densification machine. The biomass waste and binders were combined in a 3 : 1 ratio of CH : PP, CH : CS, SD : PP, SD : CS, KW : PP, KW : CS, DG : PP, and DG : CS. The briquettes were produced using a manually operated closed-end piston press machine compacted at an average pressure of 2 MPa. Briquette proximate and ultimate analysis of moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content was determined using standard ASTM methods, while the calorific value was determined using a bomb calorimeter and data analysis was carried out using the R-program. Results revealed that the briquette produced from biomass residues has a mean value of fixed carbon and calorific value that ranged from 38.62 ± 1.53 to 41.75 ± 2.14 and 3979.21 ± 232.05  cal/g to 4577.34 ± 397.11  cal/g, respectively. Generally, briquettes produced from saw dust residue and the paper pulp binder had better quality of fuel and this could be used as an alternative source of energy and proper waste management option.